A blistering performance from livewire forward Jamie Elliott has helped Collingwood record a thrilling interstate win over Adelaide by five points on Saturday.
Elliott – in his first game back from a fractured leg suffered in round 2 – kicked a career-high six goals, including five in the first half, to set up the 12.6 (78) to 10.13 (73) victory.
Darcy Fogarty got Adelaide off to the perfect start, snapping an impressive goal from the boundary line following a free kick deep in the forward pocket.
But the rest of the term was all Collingwood, which responded to criticism about an overly defensive game style with slick ball movement through the corridor.
The Crows needed a response and got one from Taylor Walker, who kicked a long-range bomb from outside 50 to open the second term.
Momentum soon shifted Adelaide’s way, but the home side failed to make the most of its opportunities, kicking 4.5 to trail the Pies by six points at the main break.
Adelaide continued to surge the ball forward in the third quarter, but struggled to penetrate a solid Collingwood defence until Walker snapped truly from the pocket to kick his second.
Fogarty quickly followed with another, but just as the Crows looked to be on top, Collingwood responded with the final three goals of the quarter.
It was a ferocious start to the final term, and Adelaide struck the first blow after Shane McAdam kicked an impressive banana goal from the boundary.
McAdam soon followed with his second to give Adelaide back the lead.
But rising to the occasion, Elliot came through with an incredible running goal from the edge of 50 to put the Pies back in front.
Collingwood was able to hold on during the final stages to notch its first interstate win for the season.
ADELAIDE 1.1 5.6 8.10 10.13 (73)
COLLINGWOOD 5.0 7.0 11.3 12.6 (78)
GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 2, Seedsman 2, Fogarty 2, McAdam 2, Thilthorpe, McHenry
Collingwood: Elliott 6, Thomas, De Goey, Bianco, Poulter, Daicos, Sidebottom
BEST
Adelaide: Laird, Seedsman, Keays, Walker, O’Brien
Collingwood: Elliott, Crisp, Pendlebury, Daicos, Sidebottom
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Collingwood: Brayden Sier (Jaw)
SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Nick Murray (unused)
Collingwood: Callum Brown (replaced Sier)
